Anyone can benefit from a personal trainer, whether your goal is to lose weight, get toned, increase your current fitness level or just be more confident in the gym. Bre White, a recent Illinois State graduate, has had a personal trainer since last October. She explains that having a personal trainer helped her achieve her fitness goals.

“I really wanted to feel confident and at ease while working out. I just wanted to feel good. When I first started out it was hard for me, and now I really feel good, and I am able to push myself. It [has] been great having someone to motivate and plan for you,” White said.

White said that not only has she achieved her goals, but she is also more aware of her body and what she is doing in each exercise. 

Shane O’Donnell, senior exercise science major, has been a trainer since last fall. He says that part of his job is for his clients to gain knowledge about their bodies. 

“Clients gain knowledge about the body that the general population doesn’t have … I try to explain what’s happening, and the benefits of the workout,” O’Donnell said.

A lot of work goes into each personal training session. O’Donnell emphasized the importance of planning and changing up routines.

“Part of being a personal trainer is preparing workouts that people may not have thought of,” O’Donnell said. 

He tries to avoid redundancy in his workouts because he understands that people need the motivation to come back. “Motivation is the biggest challenge. You kind of have to be like a therapist. You listen to what people have to say when they set a goal and meet it. Say they lost one pound … you motivate them to lose two next week,” O’Donnell explained.

One thing that motivates clients to keep up with their personal training sessions is the unique equipment that is exclusive to the program, including a TRX suspension trainer. This machine is not like using free weights or a normal weight machine because you use your actual body weight to lift. White calls the TRX machine the T. rex even though it’s not as scary. 

“The name kind of just stuck; it’s a really different workout,” White said.

Kickboxing is another popular workout that is fun and keeps people’s minds off their workout.

“Most of the time I feel like I am having a great time. I wouldn’t have expected that,” White added.

A typical session is one hour, and begins with a warm up and stretch. A warm up can include light aerobic exercise like a light jog, bike ride, or elliptical. The rest of the workout includes strength training and aerobic based exercise, and ends with a stretch. About 75 percent of the workout is aerobic based. 

O’Donnell says that the purpose of the sessions is to change his client’s lifestyles. To people hesitant about starting a fitness plan, O’Donnell recommends starting off with smart, small goals and building up from there. Smart goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. 

White’s advice is “what you put in is what you get out.” She says that with the help from a trainer the program is “too easy not to do.”

“One of the best parts of the job is seeing other people achieve their goals. It’s satisfying to see clients reach a goal … their whole demeanor changes,” said O’Donnell.

If you’re interested in getting a personal trainer students can pick up an introductory packet at the student recreational center, or download one from CampusRecreation.IllinoisState.edu. All scheduling is done around students’ schedules. Students can also request a male or female trainer, depending on their preference. 

Sessions can be one on one, or for a discounted rate students can bring a friend. The fitness center recommends that both students be in similar shape and have similar goals.